Sneak Peek: Audi RS 7 Avant vs. the 2025 BMW M5 Touring - Battle of the Hybrid Titans

BMW is set to debut its new M5 this summer, and it's generating quite the buzz. This beast will feature a plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine doling out an astounding 700-plus horsepower. Available in both a four-door sedan and a five-door wagon, the new M5 is expected to reignite the excitement last seen with the V10-powered E60/E61 generation. This isn't just a leap forward; it’s a whole different ballgame.

Meanwhile, Audi's performance division is not sitting idly by. The spotlight is now on the upcoming RS 7 Avant, which will replace the current-gen RS 6 Avant. Spy shots reveal a vehicle with some hybrid tech, and it’s highly likely this will be a plug-in hybrid. A non-pluggable hybrid system simply wouldn’t pack the punch needed to compete with BMW’s ferocious M5.

This RS 7 Avant prototype has been spotted tearing up the Nürburgring, Germany's most famous racetrack. Featuring a set of sticky tires mounted on somewhat understated black wheels, this mule seems all business. The brakes, however, didn't seem final yet when compared to the current model's impressive carbon-ceramic setup. For those who prefer metric units, those are 440 and 370 millimeters in diameter, respectively.

One of the more intriguing design choices is the grille, which seems more inspired by Hyundai than Audi’s usual design language. You'll also notice a dual-tipped exhaust setup on one side of the rear bumper, a departure from the quad outlets typically found on performance Audis. Interestingly, this prototype also sports a tow ball, suggesting some versatility beyond just being a speed demon.

The current RS 6 Avant has a braked towing capacity of 2,100 kilograms (4,630 pounds) and 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds) unbraked. With the switch from a mild-hybrid V8 to a beefier plug-in hybrid system, the new RS 7 Avant might lose a bit in towing capacity. After all, high-voltage batteries are quite heavy, impacting overall weight and performance.

Photo: SH Proshots

Speaking of weight, there are rumors suggesting the new M5 Touring will tip the scales at 2,435 kilograms (5,368 pounds). This is a significant increase from the previous E61 generation’s 1,880 kilograms (4,145 pounds). It’s safe to assume the RS 7 Avant will also surpass two metric tons, continuing the trend of increased heft among contemporary performance cars.

The RS 7 Avant will ride on Volkswagen Group's MLB platform, a design initially rolled out in 2007. This highly modular platform forms the underpinnings of a broad range of vehicles, from the front-wheel-drive A4 to the luxurious Bentley Bentayga and the aggressive Lamborghini Urus. Don’t worry, the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 housed in this chassis is no slouch.

While there’s speculation whether Lamborghini’s 10,000-rpm V8 could somehow influence Audi's offering, it’s unlikely that the RS 7 Avant will feature a high-revving engine due to the introduction of the RS 6 e-tron. The RS 6 name will transition to a pair of precision-engineered, zero-emission models, leveraging Volkswagen Group's PPE architecture.

Further down Audi's performance ladder, the RS 4 will also be phased out, making way for the plug-in hybrid RS 5 and the fully electric RS 4 e-tron. Spy shots indicate high-voltage stickers on these prototypes, buzzing away with the sound of a 2.9-liter TFSI V6 engine. Evolution is inevitable, and Audi is gearing up for a future where electrification isn't merely an option but a performance-enhancing standard.